Japan Installs 11 GW of Renewable Energy in Two Years

Of the total, Japan has added 10,880 MW of solar capacity through the end of June, according to METI data updated on Sept. 26. Japan, which has a total population of 127 million, has approved 71,780 MW of renewable energy projects, according to the ministry data. Solar accounts for 96 percent of the approved capacity. In related new, a unit of General Electric Co. and partners will get a 90 billion yen ($822 million) loan from Japanese banks to build a 231-MW solar power station in western Japan. GE Energy Financial Services, Toyo Engineering Corp., and Kuni Umi Asset Management Co. will build the 110 billion yen station in Okayama prefecture, the companies said in a statement today. Construction will start in November and the station will start running in 2019, according to the statement. The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Mizuho Bank, and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. wil...